December 17th, 2022
Offerings — Ordinary Time
During the season of advent you are likely to hear words like “offerings” and/or “ordinary time” within the church and its services.
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:7
Offerings are much more than money we place into envelopes and place into an offering plate at church services. In the season of anticipation; we look and experience hope, joy, peace and love. We can choose personal offerings such as giving, (de)cluttering, shedding unnecessary things, all to make room for the birth of Jesus in our lives. It can be so easy to become distracted by the commercialization of Christmas and the true meaning and reason for the season. As we celebrate this season remember JOY, the joy from hearing the Christmas story from the Bible in Luke.2 (1-20). I love reading and listening to this story, it evokes old memories of places and people I have shared this story with.
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
— Hebrews 13:16
• What does Ordinary Time mean?
• Why is Ordinary time called “ordinary”?
•When is Ordinary Time in the liturgical year?
This might come as a surprise, Ordinary Time is not called “ordinary” based on its level of importance. The origin of the name Ordinary Time comes from the Latin word ordinalis, which means “numbered.” Ordinary Time, which occurs between Christmas and Lent then again between Easter and Advent, signifies a numbered (or ordered) list of Sundays that anchor our daily lives in the Church.
Liturgical Seasons and Colors
The colors of the lectionary are representative of the Liturgical seasons of western Christianity. These seasons are Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time (Time After Epiphany), Lent, Easter, Pentecost and Ordinary Time (Time After Pentecost). The liturgical year begins with Advent.
https://disciples.org/
- Advent – Violet (purple) or Blue
- Christmas – White (through Epiphany, Jan.6)
- Ordinary Time – Green (until Lent)
- Lent – Violet (purple) or Blue (six weeks prior to Easter)
- Easter – White (Easter through six weeks to Pentecost)
- Pentecost – Red (one Sunday only)
- Ordinary Time – Green (after Pentecost until Advent)
“There is ordinary time in this season too. There is waking, working, talking, eating. There is sweeping, shopping, washing dishes, laundry. There is checking doors and windows before bed. There is turning down the covers. There is sleeping. There is rest.”
– Jan Richardson
These days bathe us in images
of abundance and happiness,
but we pray for those
who do not find in this time
a season of goodness
and light.
Give us eyes to see
into the shadows
cast by the millions of
blinking lights;
ears to listen
beyond the carols
to hear
the anguished weeping;
and hearts that long
for the liberation
your advent truly brings.
- Jan Richardson
May you be filled with JOY today in all that you do. It is my joy to share this advent season with you. I am truly blessed for your support and encouragement. ~
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
References:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/
https://www.thereligionteacher.com/videos/liturgicalyear/ordinary-time/
https://www.thirdrva.org/blog/telling-time-differently-as-christ-followers
HOPE SEEKER 